holiday

Today was an unexpected holiday (Araw Ng Kagitingan, but I didn't know it was today), so of course instead of homework, I just watched episodes of The Black List, made some stamps, and ate three gigantic sweet potatoes.

Here's a little rundown of the stamp-making portion.

And voila.

And then I made another for the shop.

wire hair bow DIY

I was at Claire's the other day and I saw these hair bow things but I wasn't such a fan of the fabric. Then I remembered I can totally make them. So I did.

Here's how:

I forgot to take a picture, but after you flip it inside out, put the piece of wire inside. AND THEN sew it closed. Tutorial fail. Sigh. 

My little sister Sam graciously let me use her head to model it. Hurrah. 

colors

Remember my birthday decorations?  Well, here's how to make them.

And then you get this. Rainbow coolness.

surf

I made a notebook for my friend today.

Brown kraft sticker paper is the best. 

wrap necklace DIY

Hallo. I made a necklace, and I took photos so you could see.

You need some rope ( I separated my strands):

Some thread:

Pliers and jump rings and chain:

Like friendship bracelets for your neck.
Cool.

rope braid bracelet! // mini DIY

I made myself a bracelet today and I decided to take photos while I was at it:

Ta-da!

(I just had a terrific idea: wrapping the middle of the felt part with neon thread! I'm going to try that out tomorrow.)

sneakers

Last Friday, we were at the Brown Bag Vintage and Crafts Market. It was the loveliest bazaar I've ever been to, with the nicest things for sale. I think one of the reasons I loved it so was because most of the people manning the booths had made everything themselves. I wanted to buy so many things! Please, support handmade, if you can.
Also, I had the chance to join the Keds painting workshop! Of course, when confronted with the actual shoe, I didn't know what to paint, and had a mild panic attack, since I always plan things like these so thoroughly beforehand. They ended up being Rob Ryan inspired. What can I say? I love that man. 

Of course, being the indecisive little girl that I am, I may decide to paint over these. All that white is just too tempting.

Thanks so much to Katrina of Keds and to the Brown Bag Market for giving me the shoes! I've always wanted a pair. Now I'm going to go and skip around in them to break them in. Adieu!

DIY// bracelets and braids

I've been making bracelets. It's not nice to not afford things, but it is nice to be able to make pretty things for yourself.

I also did a DIY post over on the Pink Teacup blog for this cute braided tank top! It's fun and easy. 

brick red // DIY

My mom gave me a few pairs of pantyhose that she had never worn, from a while back. They were this strange brown color, so I thought I would try to dye them.

I bought this dye from National. It's the only dye you can get here, and it's hot water dye, which is sort of a pain. I think I need to open a craft shop.

I boiled the stockings for about 20 minutes, and voila! They turned this lovely brick-red color, because of the original brown of the stocking, I guess. I'm so glad they aren't very red.

I'm not quite sure what this outfit is. It's what I was wearing at home today because all my other clothes are in the wash.

It also looks quite festive with my hair.

thrifted things i've never worn

This dress falls under that category. I loved it when I bought it, but every time I tried it on, it looked dowdy because the skirt was too long. So this week (after about a year) I finally buckled down and shortened it. And now it is Much Cuter. And guess what? I'm still really bad with "before" photos. And so there are none. Again.

Today I wore it and bugged my sister while she made the really cute bookplates for Pink Teacup (go on, click it, they're free to download!)

Seriously, this is my favorite dress now.

And then we recorded our own little version of George Gershwin's "Summertime", to celebrate the news that we are going to the beach. Nothing lifts up the spirits like music and beach anticipation.